As organizations and consumers increasingly embrace cutting-edge technologies, including AI, cyber threats are evolving and becoming more frequent. They affect not only the targeted enterprise but also its business partners, suppliers and customers.
To keep pace, organizations, individuals and nations must implement the latest protection measures to avoid hackers, data loss, lawsuits and reputational damage, among other issues.
As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, our experts are focusing on the three biggest threats to cybersecurity – two established and one emerging.
Phishing
Phishing and social engineering mainly involve fraudulent emails and messages to trick people into divulging passwords, clicking malicious links or transferring funds. Many cyber incidents start with a phishing attempt.
Tips for avoiding phishing:
- Never click on unverified links
- Verify the sender and message
- Enable multi-factor authentication
Ransomware
This malicious software locks or encrypts your files and demands money to unlock them. Modern nefarious agents operate swiftly, often targeting businesses repeatedly.
Tips for avoiding ransomware:
- Maintain regular offline backups
- Keep all software and operating systems updated
- Secure remote access points
AI-enabled cyberattacks
These attacks use AI to automate, expedite and scale malicious digital operations. They are becoming more common and large tech firms, including OpenAI, Google and Microsoft, have warned that AI-driven cyberattacks are becoming far more powerful and widespread.
AI systems can locate vulnerabilities faster than humans, reducing exploit windows to days or hours. Targets increasingly include high-consequence sectors like hospitals and water treatment plants.
Tips for avoiding AI-enabled cyberattacks:
- Establish strict out-of-band verification
- Deploy AI-driven defense tools
- Implement strict zero-trust architecture
A protective portfolio in one place
Our Digital Trust Assurance services, part of our SGS DIGITAL TRUST portfolio, enable you to meet the latest standards, from ISO/IEC 27001 (information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection) to ISO/IEC 42001 (AI management system), enhancing your service, security and brand.
Combining decades of digital expertise worldwide with the latest knowledge of trends and technologies, we support your digitization, security implementation, business continuity and supply chain security – whatever your business type, size and location.
Contact our experts now to start or enhance your protection measures.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
